Sodium [[α,α'-(ethylenediimino)bis[2-hydroxybenzene-1-acetato]](4-)]ferrate(1-)

Toxicity to birds

Description of key information

Fe(Na)EDDHA (CAS 84539-55-9), Coturnix coturnix japonica, oral intubation: LD50(14d) > 6000 mg/kg, NOEC(14d) >= 1000 mg/kg 
Fe(Na)EDDHA (CAS 84539-55-9), Peking duck, US Department recommendations: LC50(8d) > 10000 mg/kg 
Fe(Na)EDDHA (CAS 84539-55-9), Japanese quail, US Department recommendations: LC50(8d) > 10000 mg/kg 
Fe(Na)EDDHA (CAS 84539-55-9), Anas domestica, oral intubation: LD50(7d) > 10000 mg/kg
Fe(Na)EDDHA (CAS 84539-55-9), Pheasants, oral intubation: LD50(7d) ~ 10000 mg/kg 

Additional information

Several experimental results are available concerning the toxicity towards birds for the read-across substance Fe(Na)EDDHA (CAS 84529-55-9). All experiments were conducted in the laboratories of CIBA-GEIGY Limited, Basle, Switzerland. Reference is neither given concerning guideline nor GLP compliance. However, sufficient basic information is given in every study report, thus all results are reliable with restriction (Klimisch 2).

In the first key study, the acute oral toxicity of Fe(Na)EDDHA was investigated in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) (Sachsse and Ullmann, 1978). Animals were treated by oral intubation with a concentration of the test compound of 1000 and 6000 mg/kg bw. Physical condition and rate of deaths were monitored throughout the whole observation period. Afterwards, all surviving animals were killed. Except of the bird which died after 14 days, the animals showed no toxic symptoms. The acute oral LD50(14d) of both sexes is > 6000 mg/kg. The NOEC (14d) is determined to be >= 1000 mg/kg bw.

In the first supporting study, the effects of Fe(Na)EDDHA on wild birds (Peking duck) were determined in a procedure based on the recommendations of the United States Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service, reported in "Procedure for Evaluation of Acute Toxicity of Pesticides to Fish and Wildlife" (Sachsse and Ullmann, 1978). Three groups of birds, each 10 animals, received feed with three different concentrations (1000, 6000 and 10 000 mg/kg bw) of the test compound for a 5-day period. Thereafter they were kept for a posttreatment period of another 3 days. The results were compared with those of an untreated control group and with those of a positive control group treated with 4 different Dieldrin concentrations. During the 5 day treatment period and the following 3 observation days, no toxic symptoms were observed. The food intake and the bodyweights of the birds in all concentrations were comparable to that of the controls. The LC50(8d) is greater than 10 000 mg/kg.

Another study with wild birds (Japanese quail) is available. The toxic effects were determined in a procedure based on the recommendations of the United States Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service, reported in "Procedure for Evaluation of Acute Toxicity of Pesticides to Fish and Wildlife (Sachsse and Ullmann, 1978). Three groups of birds, each 10 animals, received feed with three different concentrations (1000, 6000 and 10000 mg/kg) of the test compound for a 5-day period. Thereafter they were kept for a posttreatment period of another 3 days. The results were compared with those of an untreated control group and with those of a positive control group treated with 7 different Dieldrin concentrations. With the exception of fluffed feathers in all birds and in addition curved position of the birds in the highest concentration, no toxic symptoms were observed during the test and observation period. The food intake of the birds in all concentration groups was comparable to that of the controls during the test and observation period. The bodyweights of all birds were, with the exception of some intergroup changes/comparable to that of the controls during the treatment and observation period. There was no change in egg production. The "8-day LC50" of the Fe(Na)EDDHA is greater than 10 000 mg/kg bw when fed to adult Japanese quails of both sexes.

Furthermore, acute oral toxicity data is available:

Peking ducks (Anas domestica) were treated by oral intubation with test material concentrations of 6000 and 10000 mg/kg (Sachsse and Ullmann, 1977). Physical condition and rate of deaths were monitored throughout the whole observation period. Just after treatment all birds vomited. No other compound related symptoms were observed. The animals recovered within 24 hours. They were killed at the end of the observation period. The acute oral LD50 of both sexes observed over a period of 7 days is greater than 10000 mg/kg.

Additionally, the acute oral toxicity of Fe(Na)EDDHA was investigated in 10 day old pheasants (Sachsse and Ullmann, 1977). The test substance was suspended with carboxymethyl-cellulose 2 %. Administration was performed by oral intubation with dose groups of 6000 mg/kg and 10000 mg/kg, the observation period lasted 7 days afterwards. The initial body weight of the animals was 30 - 70 g and an acclimatisation period of minimum 2 days was constructed. During the experiment, the animals were housed in groups of ten in a warm battery (30 °C) fitted with a wire mesh floor. Physical condition and rate of deaths were monitored all the time. After application, the birds in both groups showed apathy and curved position within 1 hour. In the higher dose group, the symptoms were more pronounced. All animals vomited parts of the treated substance within 4 hours. 24 hours after application, 1 bird died in the dose group of 6000 mg/kg and 2 animals at the test concentration of 10000 mg/kg. After 7 days, one and 4 animals were dead in the respective dose groups. Therefore, the acute oral LD50 after 7 days observation period is determined as approximately 10000 mg/kg. In conclusion, the test material has practically no acute toxicity effect to pheasant by oral application.

Concerning all available experimental results, it can be concluded that Fe(Na)EDDHA has practically no toxic effects to the bird species (Japanese quail, Peking ducks and Pheasants) investigated.